2014 SONOMA COUNTY RED WINE
2014 SONOMA COUNTY RED WINE SONOMA COUNTY RED WINE
Manteo the mighty
SONOMA COUNTY RED WINE
Ruled with wisdom Dwelt in peace beside the waters SONOMA COUNTY RED WINE
Smoked his pipe beneath the pine-tree
Come, he said, the darkness falleth
And she placed the babe in his strong arms M A N T E O
M A N T E O M A N T E O
VIRGINIA DARE WINERY
Virginia Dare Winery celebrates the myths, people, places, and history that have shaped American winemaking. In the heart of California wine country, we make American wine the way it’s always been made: by taking the best the land has to give us and nurturing the quality and character of our fruit from vineyard to bottle.
MANTEO takes its name from a legendary Native American leader who played an important role in the Virginia Dare story. In 1587, on North Carolina’s outer banks, Governor John White’s struggling colony sought help from the Croatoan group of Native Americans, whose territory encompassed the region. Manteo, a chief of the tribe, was the natural liaison between the colonists and the Croatoan. He had traveled twice to England, had met the Queen, and he was fascinated by European technology. Manteo swore to protect Governor White’s baby granddaughter, a girl named Virginia Dare—the first child of English parentage born in the new world. Many mysteries surround this girl and the lost colony into which she was born. It was supposedly she who, as a woman, inspired the legend of The White Doe, which tells the story of how wine grapes in America turned red. Manteo’s legacy watches over the scenes of Virginia Dare’s life. He was a fierce but loving warrior, equal parts explorer and protector.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2014 vintage was excellent—one of those lovely vintages that viticulturists and winemakers love. Pest pressures were at a minimum and the vintage started off slightly early, progressed smoothly, and ended a bit early as well. The red varietals in the 2014 vintage were especially expressive and concentrated, with big berry tones on Syrah and Malbec. California’s drought conditions were not yet in evidence—due to the fact that it takes a number of years of repeated low annual rainfall to have a significant effect on overall growing, the 2014 vintage was unscathed. Around the vineyard, we’re calling 2014 a “three-peat,” as it comes on the heels of two prior fantastic vintages. It was a lovely year all around.
WINEMAKER NOTES
“From the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys, we sourced grapes to make MANTEO a big, dark wine full of black fruit flavors. Each variety contributes its share of ripe fruits, tannin weight, and complex oak flavors to the blends. MANTEO is aged in a combination of French and American oak, in order to ideally express its fullness as well as lighter, more complex tones.” —Sandy Walheim
TASTING NOTES
Carefully selected for intensity, weight, and texture, MANTEO is a rich red blend of Sonoma County Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Dark, juicy fruits with notes of blueberry and plum are backed by a robust aroma of woodsy spice. A distinct warm oak tone on finish and a firm tannin structure let the flavors linger on the palate. This is a complex, regal red—an intense, full-bodied wine fit for a warrior with a heart of gold. Appellation: Sonoma County Year: 2014
Blend: 30% Syrah 30% Petit Verdot 25% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Petite Sirah
Alcohol: 13.5% Barrel Regimen: 13 months in French and American oak; 10% new oak, 90% 1- and 2-year oak
Winemaker: Sandy Walheim
APWG ™ 2016 AMERICAN PIONEER WINE GROWERS, GEYSERVILLE, SONOMA COUNTY, CA www.VirginiaDareWinery.com
HISTORY
Manteo the mighty
SONOMA COUNTY RED WINE
Ruled with wisdom Dwelt in peace beside the waters SONOMA COUNTY RED WINE
Smoked his pipe beneath the pine-tree
Come, he said, the darkness falleth
And she placed the babe in his strong arms M A N T E O
M A N T E O M A N T E O
VIRGINIA DARE WINERY
Virginia Dare Winery celebrates the myths, people, places, and history that have shaped American winemaking. In the heart of California wine country, we make American wine the way it’s always been made: by taking the best the land has to give us and nurturing the quality and character of our fruit from vineyard to bottle.
MANTEO takes its name from a legendary Native American leader who played an important role in the Virginia Dare story. In 1587, on North Carolina’s outer banks, Governor John White’s struggling colony sought help from the Croatoan group of Native Americans, whose territory encompassed the region. Manteo, a chief of the tribe, was the natural liaison between the colonists and the Croatoan. He had traveled twice to England, had met the Queen, and he was fascinated by European technology. Manteo swore to protect Governor White’s baby granddaughter, a girl named Virginia Dare—the first child of English parentage born in the new world. Many mysteries surround this girl and the lost colony into which she was born. It was supposedly she who, as a woman, inspired the legend of The White Doe, which tells the story of how wine grapes in America turned red. Manteo’s legacy watches over the scenes of Virginia Dare’s life. He was a fierce but loving warrior, equal parts explorer and protector.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2014 vintage was excellent—one of those lovely vintages that viticulturists and winemakers love. Pest pressures were at a minimum and the vintage started off slightly early, progressed smoothly, and ended a bit early as well. The red varietals in the 2014 vintage were especially expressive and concentrated, with big berry tones on Syrah and Malbec. California’s drought conditions were not yet in evidence—due to the fact that it takes a number of years of repeated low annual rainfall to have a significant effect on overall growing, the 2014 vintage was unscathed. Around the vineyard, we’re calling 2014 a “three-peat,” as it comes on the heels of two prior fantastic vintages. It was a lovely year all around.
WINEMAKER NOTES
“From the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys, we sourced grapes to make MANTEO a big, dark wine full of black fruit flavors. Each variety contributes its share of ripe fruits, tannin weight, and complex oak flavors to the blends. MANTEO is aged in a combination of French and American oak, in order to ideally express its fullness as well as lighter, more complex tones.” —Sandy Walheim
TASTING NOTES
Carefully selected for intensity, weight, and texture, MANTEO is a rich red blend of Sonoma County Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Dark, juicy fruits with notes of blueberry and plum are backed by a robust aroma of woodsy spice. A distinct warm oak tone on finish and a firm tannin structure let the flavors linger on the palate. This is a complex, regal red—an intense, full-bodied wine fit for a warrior with a heart of gold. Appellation: Sonoma County Year: 2014
Blend: 30% Syrah 30% Petit Verdot 25% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Petite Sirah
Alcohol: 13.5% Barrel Regimen: 13 months in French and American oak; 10% new oak, 90% 1- and 2-year oak
Winemaker: Sandy Walheim
APWG ™ 2016 AMERICAN PIONEER WINE GROWERS, GEYSERVILLE, SONOMA COUNTY, CA www.VirginiaDareWinery.com
HISTORY
